Mayoral Hopeful Bill Thompson Earns Key Endorsement From UFT

Sal Albanese, who is vying with fellow Democrat Bill Thompson to be the party's candidate in the 2013 mayoral race, accused his opponent of "race baiting" for his comments on the East 91st Street Marine Transfer Station.
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NEW YORK CITY — The United Federation of Teachers threw its weight behind former city comptroller Bill Thompson in New York City's hotly contested mayoral race, officials announced at a press conference Wednesday night.

"This was a tough decision, but in the end, all signs pointed to Thompson as the best choice for our city and our schools for the next four years," the union wrote on their Facebook page.

The high-profile endorsement is expected to be a boon for Thompson, who has raised more than $3 million in campaign funds but has lagged behind in the polls.

"Our schools must teach students to be critical thinkers," Thompson told supporters who turned out to cheer his endorsement. "New York City is going to have the best schools in the world. Not in the state, not in the country, the best schools in the world."

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